Tips for creating a space at home for your children to learn!
With the schools closed and kids at home for the foreseeable future, it can be hard to ensure your little ones don’t get bored, and are also continuing to get the education they need.
Homeschooling can be rewarding, but if you’re huddled together in a cramped and cluttered corner of your dining room or have to move books and supplies off the kitchen table multiple times a day for meals – not so much!
We’ve created this little guide on how to create a creative and educational environment for the perfect ‘homeschooling’ days at home…
Creating a dedicated space for homeschooling
Large space
Be sure to give yourself enough room. You want to be able to move around and not get on top of each other – there should be space for large bits of paper, and multiple books.
Windows for natural light
Light and bright spaces are generally better for learning and creativity. However, it’s a good idea to ensure you’re whole working space isn’t directly in front of a window with no blind, otherwise you might find yourself uncomfortably hot every afternoon. During the evening or on overcast days, you will want good overhead lighting to keep everyone’s spirits bright.
Spill-proof flooring
In all likelihood, reading and math won’t pose too big a threat to your floors but science and art can be another story entirely. Maybe pull out those old newspapers or an old tablecloth to lay down on the floor during messy time!
Lots of colour
You don’t need to paint your walls like a Crayola box to have a colourful and inspiring workspace. But be sure your classroom has a bright and cheery vibe. Put up some bright pictures, or bring in some bright objects such as throw pillows or flowers.
Wall space for a whiteboard, art displays, and posters
If you have a whiteboard or some chalkboard paint, all the better, but if not, pieces of paper stuck up on the wall to write on can be very useful when learning. You can also rotate spelling words, inspirational quotes, or pin up your children’s work. And a wall can be really useful for working out problems and illustrating concepts.
Outdoor learning spot
One of the advantages of homeschooling is the ability to learn outside when the weather is nice. Create a relaxing outdoor spot for reading, and perhaps a set up a table and chairs for schoolwork.
Garden patch
Creating a vegetable garden is a great way to teach life lessons and patience, see science in action, and get outdoors. Getting to eat your homework is an added bonus. Many seeds can be bought over the Internet and delivered safely to your door, and it’s something you can keep doing even after the lockdown is over!
A place for everything
Keeping your ‘classroom’ clean and tidy is important for learning and productivity. Be sure to incorporate lots of storage and organisation to keep clutter to a minimum. Make sweeping floors and wiping down surfaces a group activity to catchy music at the end of each day.
A computer station
Modern homeschooling generally includes technology, but you want to control its use. The best approach is to create a computer station that is accessible but separate from where “unplugged” work takes place.
Alternative seating
If you have a restless learner, yoga balls, bean bags, and other types of alternative seating might help absorb some of that energy and focus attention on the task at hand.
Soft music
Studies show that classical and movie music stimulates brain activity so that your student can focus. Get creative with this. Gregorian chants vibrate through a room and instil quiet, meditative thoughts without disrupting the studying process.
Online educational resources for parents
Your kids' school will recommend tools, set work and provide resources so they can keep up with the National Curriculum, but these extra tools can help give their learning a boost and provide some variety while they're out of the classroom.
If you're feeling out of your depth, the BBC has put together a guide to supporting kids while they're learning at home, full of useful tips and professional advice that'll help you get through this difficult time.
You might remember the BBC Bitesize website from your own school days, and it's still going strong. There's material here for kids of all ages, from reception all the way through to A-levels. It covers every subject your kids are currently studying, and as the name suggests it's all presented in small, easily digestible chunks.
There are lots of excellent learning resources available on YouTube, but separating the gems from the junk can be a huge task. With BBC Teach, you can be confident that every video your kids watch is well made and worthwhile.
There are tie-ins with BBC series like Doctor Who, Springwatch and Blue Planet, and many of the videos are hosted by well-known BBC presenters who are skilled in holdings kids' attention and making even complex topics fun and accessible.
Khan Academy is a US-based site, and is structured around the American school system, but it's packed with a huge amount of content that crosses over with the National Curriculum in the UK.
The arts and humanities content is quite different to what your kids would be taught in their own classrooms, but science and maths travels well, and the material on algebra, trigonometry and calculus are particularly good (especially if you're a little rusty yourself).
You might think of Duolingo as mainly a tool for adult learners who want to pick up a new language, but it also has lessons specially designed for school kids, which can really support their modern language classes.
Learning at home doesn't have to be all about staying in front of a screen; The Artful Parent is a site packed with fun craft ideas to get your kids thinking creatively. Many of them are well suited to younger children, and are fantastic if your little ones are starting to get bored or anxious.
Whether it's observational drawing, making sculptures from leaves or making your own playdough, each project includes a list of materials, ways to gently engage your child, and suggestions for follow-up activities.
Others:
3D Geography: printable paper templates for learning about geography
KM Tuition: printable worksheets and past exam papers
GamED Academy: learning through Minecraft (for a subscription fee)
Code Studio: computer science activities and lessons
Literacy Trust: support for parents of children age 12 and under
One advantage to homeschooling is it lets you show your kids how proud you are with hugs, kisses, and one-on-one attention. These are things they can never get through traditional school education. You can have a profound impact on your child’s learning and accomplishments while helping them through this stressful time. Happy learning!